By Chris Kavan - 01/13/16 at 12:35 PM CT
Glad to see you all again - it turns out even the people who rate movies get a week off for the Christmas/New Years holidays. But if you thought that extra week would mean a bit first update of the new year, well, I'm sorry to crush your hopes and dreams. In fact, there isn't a single major release receiving a rating this week, so I'm going to cover the two films I'm most interested in, and wouldn't you know, they are both horror films. Both will likely get a limited release (that could be bumped up to wide) so sit back, relax and hope that next week brings a bit better news.
First up is 31, which horror director Rob Zomie turned to crowdfunding to get made, has had a rough road to its current rating. The first two times Zombie submitted 31 to the ratings board, he received the dreaded NC-17. Now, Zombie also says that 31 is his most "brutal" film to date - which, if you've seen The Devil's Rejects, is a bold statement. The film concerns five carnival workers who find themselves fighting for their lives when they are kidnapped by a group of evil clowns and forced to kill or be killed. The cast is interesting to say the least - from the scene-chewing awesomeness of Malcolm McDowell, well-known adult actress Ginger Lynn (who also starred in Devil's Rejects), every-man Daniel Roebuck and, of course, Sheri Moon Zombie. Just the names of the characters - Sex-Head, Father Murder, Schizo-Head, Sister Serpent and Sister Dragon, Psycho-Head, Doom-Head, Death-Head, Sick-Head and, of course, Roscoe - well, it sounds like we're in for a down-home good time (for those who like blood and guts). Now the movie currently has an R - for strong bloody horror violence, pervasive language, sexual content and drug use. But I'm most interested to see the inevitable "uncut" version to see just how depraved the film gets. I won't say Zombie is my favorite horror directors, but he does have a very particular vision and I will always support that - even if it makes my stomach turn.
The other horror film that caught my eye this week is being distributed by A24 - responsible for some of my favorite films from last year, including Ex Machina, Son of a Gun and Slow West. They seem to make solid decisions, so I have faith that Green Room is also going to be a good venture. It is also being directed by Jeremy Saulnier, who really impressed me with Blue Ruin - a violent twist on the revenge tale. With Green Room a punk rock band touring the secluded Pacific Northwest stumble upon a violent crime and, because they are the only witnesses, become targets for the violent white power gang who committed the atrocity. The concept sure sounds interesting enough. The cast includes Imogen Poots, Alia Shawkat, Anton Yelchin, Patrick Stewart, Mark Webber and Callum Turner (among others). The films also receives an R for strong brutal graphic violence, gory images, language and some drug content.
The full MPAA Ratings Bulletin is below:
31
Rated R for strong bloody horror violence, pervasive language, sexual content and drug use.
THE BOUNCE BACK
Rated PG-13 for sexual content, language and brief drug use.
EAST SIDE SUSHI
Rated PG for brief violence, suggestive content and mild language.
FALLEN
Rated PG-13 for thematic material, violent images, some sensuality, language and teen partying.
FORSAKEN
Rated R for violence and some language.
GREEN ROOM
Rated R for strong brutal graphic violence, gory images, language and some drug content.
HYENA ROAD
Rated R for bloody war violence, language throughout and some sexual material.
IDENTICALS
Rated R for language, some violence, drug use and sexuality.
VIVA
Rated R for language throughout, sexual content and brief graphic nudity.
